Last verified: July 6, 2026 · Official source: canada.ca — Immigration and citizenship
General information, not legal or immigration advice. For advice on your situation, consult a licensed RCIC or immigration lawyer.
Immigration is full of acronyms. Here's a plain-language reference — skim it, or search this page (Ctrl/Cmd+F) for a term. Where a full guide exists, the term links to it.
Study & school
- Study permit — The document that lets you study in Canada for more than six months. See Study permit: who can apply.
- PAL / TAL — Provincial (or Territorial) Attestation Letter. Confirms a province has allocated one of its capped study-permit spaces to you; required for most applicants. See PAL & the cap.
- DLI — Designated Learning Institution. A school approved to host international students. Choosing a PGWP-eligible DLI matters — see choosing a PGWP-eligible school.
- Proof of funds — Evidence you can pay tuition, living costs, and travel. See proof of funds.
- GIC — Guaranteed Investment Certificate. A Canadian bank deposit released to you in installments — one common way to prove living-cost funds. See GIC vs. alternatives.
- SDS — Student Direct Stream. A former fast-track study-permit process; ended November 8, 2024.
Work
- PGWP — Post-Graduation Work Permit. An open work permit after graduating from an eligible program. See PGWP.
- Open vs. employer-specific work permit — Open = work for almost any employer; employer-specific (closed) = one named employer. See work permits explained.
- LMIA — Labour Market Impact Assessment. An ESDC document some employers need before hiring a foreign worker. See LMIA explained.
- TFWP / IMP — Temporary Foreign Worker Program (needs an LMIA) vs. International Mobility Program (LMIA-exempt). See LMIA explained.
- BOWP — Bridging Open Work Permit. Keeps you working while your PR application is pending. See BOWP.
- SOWP — Spousal Open Work Permit. For eligible partners of certain students/workers. See SOWP.
- Maintained status — Formerly "implied status": keep working/studying while an on-time extension is pending. See maintained status.
- IEC — International Experience Canada. Youth mobility (e.g. Working Holiday). See IEC.
Permanent residence
- PR — Permanent Residence / Resident. The right to live, work, and study in Canada indefinitely. See maintaining PR.
- Express Entry — The federal system that ranks skilled-worker candidates in a pool. See Express Entry overview and step-by-step.
- CRS — Comprehensive Ranking System. The points score (max 1,200) that ranks the pool. Try the CRS Calculator and see how to improve it.
- ITA — Invitation to Apply. The invitation, issued in a round of invitations, to submit a PR application.
- e-APR — Electronic Application for Permanent Residence. The full application you file after an ITA.
- CEC / FSW / FST — The three Express Entry programs: Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades.
- NOC / TEER — National Occupational Classification and its skill categories; TEER 0–3 = skilled. See NOC & TEER.
- ECA — Educational Credential Assessment. Proves your foreign degree's Canadian equivalent. See ECA.
- CLB / NCLC — Canadian Language Benchmark (English) / Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (French). The scales your test scores convert to. See language tests compared.
- PNP — Provincial Nominee Program. Provinces nominate candidates; a nomination adds +600 CRS. See PNP overview.
- OINP — Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program. Ontario's PNP. See OINP.
People, bodies & concepts
- IRCC — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. The federal department that decides applications.
- ESDC — Employment and Social Development Canada. Handles LMIAs.
- RCIC — Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant. A licensed professional who can give paid immigration advice (as can immigration lawyers).
- Dual intent — Legally intending to be in Canada temporarily now while hoping to become a PR later — allowed, but you must still satisfy the officer for the permit you're applying for.
- Misrepresentation — Providing false information/documents; can trigger a refusal plus a multi-year ban.
- Biometrics — Fingerprints and a photo collected as part of many applications.
- Citizenship — The final step for many: becoming a Canadian citizen. See citizenship.
Where to go next
New here? Start with the Study → PR pathway map to see how these pieces connect, or jump to the Guides hub. Not sure which path fits you? Try the Eligibility Wizard.